PAPR vs. BUFF

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

PAPR (Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April) and BUFF (Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF) are both Defined Outcome funds from Innovator - PAPR tracks the Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect April Series Index while BUFF tracks the Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 5 years, PAPR returned 8.08%/yr vs 8.52%/yr for BUFF. Their correlation of 0.80 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PAPR charges 0.79%/yr vs 0.89%/yr for BUFF.

Performance

PAPR vs. BUFF - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April (PAPR) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PAPR achieves a 7.23% return, which is significantly higher than BUFF's 4.91% return.

PAPR

• 1D: -0.36%
• 1M: -0.14%
• YTD: 7.23%
• 6M: 7.25%
• 1Y: 13.78%
• 3Y*: 11.12%
• 5Y*: 8.08%
• 10Y*: —

BUFF

• 1D: -0.48%
• 1M: -0.10%
• YTD: 4.91%
• 6M: 4.62%
• 1Y: 13.10%
• 3Y*: 11.92%
• 5Y*: 8.52%
• 10Y*: —

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PAPR vs. BUFF - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
PAPR Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April	7.23%	6.58%	12.28%	16.45%	-4.29%	7.51%	4.62%	6.73%
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	4.91%	11.02%	12.05%	16.51%	-4.44%	8.37%	-12.08%	16.44%

Correlation

The correlation between PAPR and BUFF is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 1, 2019	0.80

The correlation between PAPR and BUFF shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.88 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PAPR vs. BUFF — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

PAPR

PAPR Risk / Return Rank: 98
PAPR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 97
PAPR Sortino Ratio Rank: 98
PAPR Omega Ratio Rank: 97
PAPR Calmar Ratio Rank: 98
PAPR Martin Ratio Rank: 98

BUFF

BUFF Risk / Return Rank: 85
BUFF Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
BUFF Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
BUFF Omega Ratio Rank: 87
BUFF Calmar Ratio Rank: 75
BUFF Martin Ratio Rank: 89

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PAPR vs. BUFF - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April (PAPR) and Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	PAPR	BUFF	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.05	2.51	+1.54
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	7.03	3.76	+3.27
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.96	1.51	+0.45
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	11.92	3.67	+8.25
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	61.40	19.13	+42.26

PAPR vs. BUFF - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PAPR Sharpe Ratio is 4.05, which is higher than the BUFF Sharpe Ratio of 2.51. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PAPR and BUFF, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

PAPR vs. BUFF - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PAPR drawdown since its inception was -15.31%, smaller than the maximum BUFF drawdown of -46.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PAPR and BUFF.

Drawdown Indicators

	PAPR	BUFF	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.31%	-46.23%	+30.92%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-1.16%	-3.58%	+2.42%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-11.87%	-10.24%	-1.63%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-11.87%	-10.24%	-1.63%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.66%	-0.74%	+0.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.56%	-6.15%	+4.59%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.22%	0.69%	-0.47%

Volatility

PAPR vs. BUFF - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April (PAPR) is 1.45%, while Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF (BUFF) has a volatility of 1.73%. This indicates that PAPR experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than BUFF based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PAPR	BUFF	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.45%	1.73%	-0.28%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.78%	4.11%	-1.33%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.44%	5.27%	-1.83%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	8.22%	8.44%	-0.22%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	9.42%	17.63%	-8.21%

PAPR vs. BUFF - Expense Ratio Comparison

PAPR has a 0.79% expense ratio, which is lower than BUFF's 0.89% expense ratio.

Dividends

PAPR vs. BUFF - Dividend Comparison

Neither PAPR nor BUFF has paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016
BUFF Innovator Laddered Allocation Power Buffer ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	1.78%	1.26%	1.74%	1.55%	0.18%
PAPR Innovator U.S. Equity Power Buffer ETF - April	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	3.07%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PAPR and BUFF in my portfolio?

PAPR and BUFF have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PAPR or BUFF?

BUFF has higher volatility (1.73%) compared to PAPR (1.45%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PAPR dropped -15.31% vs BUFF's -46.23%.

Which ETF is better, PAPR or BUFF?

On 5-year performance, BUFF leads with 8.52% vs 8.08% for PAPR. On fees, PAPR is cheaper at 0.79% per year. On volatility, PAPR has been the lower-risk option at 1.45%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, PAPR or BUFF?

Over the 5-year period, BUFF has performed better with a 8.52% return vs 8.08%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, PAPR or BUFF?

PAPR is cheaper with a 0.79% expense ratio, compared with 0.89% for BUFF.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, PAPR or BUFF?

PAPR and BUFF have nearly identical dividend yields, around 0.00%.

What is the main difference between PAPR and BUFF?

PAPR tracks Cboe S&P 500 15% Buffer Protect April Series Index, while BUFF tracks Refinitiv Laddered Power Buffer Strategy Index. Their fees differ too: 0.79% for PAPR and 0.89% for BUFF.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PAPR currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.05 vs 2.51), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.